FXCT is an incredibly fun and exciting project. It allows Falmouth University and University of Exeter students to collaborate and exchange passions, ideas and skills to produce incredible creative work. This internship is ideal for those looking to explore other disciplines and anyone who wants an excuse to create!

As for my university work, I am currently investigating the mechanisms of camouflage in the chameleon prawn. Chameleon prawns are small, intertidal prawns, existing in red and green colour morphs, renowned for their behavioural adaptations that maximise camouflage. Previous research found prawns select seaweeds that match their colouration; my work investigates the effects of light on chameleon prawn choice, assessing whether prawns use vision to make camouflage decisions.

Last year, I collaborated with Erin Leahy and we created ‘Suboptimal’. This was a lighthearted exploration of our local rockpools, centering our attention on the process rather than the outcome. This gave us the name Suboptimal; not everything went to plan and the result wasn’t ‘perfect’, but we took mistakes in our stride and produced a concertina that was full of charm, reflected our experience and something we were both very proud of. During the internship, I was able to share my love of photography and marine life with Erin and was taught lots about printmaking techniques, assembling a book, and how to really enhance my creative process.

The theme ‘Archives and Special Collections’ was super interesting. Erin and I spent time exploring our own ideas, before coming to the archives to link everything together. We chose to make a book because they are so prevalent in the archives and so it felt like an appropriate and encompassing way of presenting our experience. In the archives, we were particularly excited by the notebooks of playwright Nick Darke, whose informal style and sense of humour reminded us of our own approach. The theme for this year remains the same, and I can’t wait to see what curiosities inspire the 2026 interns!

The freedom provided by the internship meant that all pairs investigated highly varied material in the archives and produced entirely different results. Millie and Rose looked at invasive species and made shadow drawings and a film and Louis and Mora explored mapmaking, creating stone illustrations and photographs. Together we curated a shared exhibition called In the Company of Land and Sea which toured around campus across July – September 2025. Meeting up every week allowed us to hear how differently everyone was approaching the theme. Exchanging ideas during these meetings gave us outside perspectives, helped develop our projects, and allowed us to inspire each other. The FXCT greatly helped me develop my skills as an artist, and I had an incredible time working with Erin. I am super excited to be involved again this year, but very jealous that I won’t be taking part!